Lung Injury Deaths Associated with Use of E-cigarette or Vaping Products

As of November 13, 2019, 49 states have reported 2,172 e-cigarette, or vaping, product use–associated lung injury cases to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including 42 associated deaths. Given that this situation is a public health emergency, EMSC stakeholders might find the following Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles of interest:

• Characteristics of Hospitalized and Nonhospitalized Patients in a Nationwide Outbreak of E-cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use–Associated Lung Injury — United States, November 2019
• Update: Interim Guidance for Health Care Providers for Managing Patients with Suspected E-cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use–Associated Lung Injury — United States, November 2019

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also has resources available on e-cigarettes.

Free Resources: Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units National Classroom

Environmental exposures can lead to or result from emergencies and natural disasters. The regional Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSUs) are dedicated to increasing knowledge about environmental medicine among health professionals regarding children’s environmental health. The PEHSU National Classroom offers educational opportunities that include the ability to obtain continuing education for various audiences. Also see the AAP Children and Disasters website for content on specific disasters, including floods, hurricanes, and wildfires.

NIOSH Virtual Tool Kit to Help First Responders Work Safely Around Illicit Drugs

NIOSH has released a virtual tool kit for First Responders on how to protect themselves to exposure illicit drugs. The tool kit includes short training videos and sharable infographics that cover protection when illicit drugs may be present and when they are present, what PPE to wear, and how to decontaminate themselves and their equipment. Other resources based on key points from NIOSH recommendations are also included in the virtual took kit.

Updated Pediatric Disaster Topic Collection from ASPR TRACIE

In November, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (HHS ASPR) updated their Pediatric Disaster Topic Collection from TRACIE (Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange). This Collection provides resources that can help healthcare facilities, healthcare coalitions, and other health and medical providers to consider the specialized care and resources needed for children prior to, during, and after an incident. Resources are categorized in topics that include Access and Functional Needs; Burns; Explosives and Mass Shootings; Family Reunification and Support; Healthcare Facility Evacuation/ Sheltering; and Hospital Surge Capacity and Immediate Bed Availability.

Resources for Emergency Planners

Emergencies and disasters can happen at any time, often without warning. Disaster planning, response, and recovery efforts must consider the unique needs and abilities of children, who make up roughly a quarter of the U.S. population. For example:

• Children are positive influencers: Children can effectively bring the message of preparedness home to their families.
• Children can become leaders: Participating in youth preparedness programs empowers children to become leaders at home and in their schools and communities
• Children can be confident during an emergency: Children who are prepared experience less anxiety and feel more confident during actual emergencies and disasters.

Youth preparedness and including youth in emergency management is an essential part of engaging the whole community. As you and your organization prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters, use the resources on this page to explore how you can provide services that assist youth and families with children.

Check out Ready.gov for more!

Michelson, K. A. (2019). It's Time to Get Serious about Pediatric Readiness. The Journal of pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2019.10.045

Whitfill, T. M., Remick, K. E., Olson, L. M., Richards, R., Brown, K. M., Auerbach, M. A., & Gausche-Hill, M. (2019). Statewide pediatric facility recognition programs and their association with pediatric readiness in emergency departments in the United States. The Journal of pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2019.10.017

The EMSC Innovation and Improvement Center addresses the entire continuum of care for children. Acute inpatient rehabilitation is an important component of the trauma system. Our Trauma team has been working with a group of national experts in pediatric rehabilitation to clearly define processes for the initiation of rehabilitation therapies for children who have been hospitalized following a traumatic brain injury. This highly skilled group of pediatric experts is comprised of physical medicine and rehab physicians, trauma surgeons, a neuropsychiatrist and speech, physical and occupational therapists representing children’s hospitals and pediatric rehabilitation programs across the country.

The first product of the workgroup’s efforts was a poster entitled Evidence for the Timing of Rehabilitation Services Following Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury. This work was presented by Dr. Christian Niedzwecki at the Pediatric Trauma Society’s annual conference in San Diego, CA on November 15, 2019. (See next page for an image of the poster.)

Stay tuned for updates as more work is done to raise awareness and educate providers about the importance of rehabilitation services provided to children than will improve outcomes in pediatric trauma care.

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